Rivalry weeks always come with some talking. Players get asked about the other team, quotes get passed around, and by Thursday both locker rooms usually know exactly what the other side has said. Some players add fuel, while others promise to save their response for the field. Both approaches were on display this week in the lead-up to Browns-Steelers.
Asante Samuel Jr. was asked about comments coming out of Cleveland, as shared by 93.7 The Fan.
“I didn’t even see what they said, the game is on Sunday. There ain’t going to be no talking on Sunday,” Samuel Jr. said.
‘I didn’t even see what they said, the game is on Sunday. There ain’t going to be no talking on Sunday’
Reactions to Browns comments—#Steelers Asante Samuel, Jr pic.twitter.com/BLYnoiRgnX— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) October 29, 2026
The comments he was asked about likely came from Jared Verse earlier in the day. Verse made it clear he was not intimidated by Pittsburgh.
“I’m not worried about Cam, I’m not worried about their OL, I’m not worried about anyone on their team,” Verse said.
That is not new for Verse. After the Week 4 win, he said he had been calling Pittsburgh’s blockers garbage during the game, criticized players who do too much after the whistle and said he could not wait to see them again.
Samuel’s response was simple. He brushed off the trash talk and suggested the Steelers would answer on the field. Brushing it off can be its own message, and Pittsburgh will be motivated to even the season series after losing on a last-second field goal in Cleveland.
For the Browns, the question is whether Verse can back up his words. He did not practice Wednesday because of a knee injury, and he is still looking for his first sack since arriving in the Myles Garrett trade. A breakthrough game against the team he has been calling out would be a perfect time.
His confidence fits the identity Todd Monken has built. The Browns have won 5 games by a combined 16 points, and they have never looked rattled late in close games. A young team playing with that edge can be dangerous on the road.
Both teams are 5-2, and the Browns hold the tiebreaker from the first meeting. There will be plenty of talking before kickoff, but Samuel is right about one thing: the only response that matters will come Sunday.
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